McVay Interview Days After Murder

Sammi Bjelland reports:

Sioux Falls, SD

Death row inmate James McVay, has taken his own life. The 44-year-old was found dead in his cell this morning -- just months after he was sentenced to death for the murder of 75-year-old Maybelle Schein.

McVay was arrested in Madison, Wisconsin back in 2011 a short time after he killed the Sioux Falls woman. His plan was to go on a cross-country killing spree, ending with the murder of President Obama.

McVay talked with a Wisconsin reporter, just days after the Schein's murder.

"They placed me in solitary confinement, and while I was there I sat with nothing but a radio and my own hallucinations," convicted murder James McVay said.

In 2011, James McVay was serving time for grand theft charges in a minimum security unit at the South Dakota Penitentiary. He was taking part in a Community Transition Program, when he walked away from the facility.

He then went to Walmart and stole clothes, alcohol and other items without being noticed. After that, he spent the night under a bridge in Sioux Falls, getting high on Jack Daniel's and cough syrup.

Early the next morning, McVay says he got a message from Satan, telling him to kill the president.

"I was gonna get him on the golf range," McVay said.

He told police he wanted to get blood on his hands before going after the president. That's when he found Maybelle Schein's garage door partially open.

He says it was a sign and snuck into the home to kill the 75-year-old while she was sleeping in her bed.

"Collateral damage. There was no malice or anything. It wasn't anything personal. Just, she was in my way and I removed her," McVay said.

After the brutal murder, McVay took Schein's car and drove to Madison, Wisconsin.

After discovering Schein's body that day, police were able to track her car through the vehicle's OnStar system.

Days after the murder, McVay showed no remorse for the crime.

"Not in the least. None. In fact, I'd do it again, and again and again and again if you gave me the opportunity. Anything to take care of my mission," McVay said.

In May of this year, a jury sentenced McVay to death by lethal injection. Something he seemed to fully comprehend while behind bars 3 years ago.

"I mean, if that's what fate has in store for me than let's do it. Otherwise, I'm coming for Obama," McVay said.